Shipping box or carton



Jan. 12,1937. A @ZELL f 2,067,740

A. O SHIPPING BOX AOR CARTON Filed Jan. 22, 195e I 2 sheets-sheet 1 MUNIBY yf 7 ATTORNEYS umili Jan. l2, 1937. A. UzELl. 2,067,740 l SHIPPINGhBox 0R CARTON v Filed Jan. 22, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet -2 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

' Afeq//AM 025g.

BY f/ Patented Jan. 12, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates .to improvements in collapsible shipping boxes orcartons.

.One .of the .main objects of the invention resides in a cardboard boxformed from :a .single blank of material which when .set up for use,

may `be securely locked to prevent pilfering of the contents of thecarton during shipment.

Another feature of the invention resides in a pilier-proof carton whichis cut and folded from a single rectangular shaped blank of cardboardwith a minimum waste, for the reason that the walls and corner lockingflaps are .all formed within the .confines `.of the sides of therectangular blank.

A further feature .of the invention is to provide a `cardboard .cartonconsisting of a body section and a hinged 1cover section which embracesthe .side walls of the body section when the cover is .closed thereover,there being a novel form of interlocking means between the cover andbody sections, .to ,secure the cover in closed position :and which meanscannot .be released without Amutila-ting the same. Thus the cover mayYbe securely sealed against opening without the aid of sealing .tape orby other analogous methods.

A :further `feature .of the invention is the provision oa vone-pieceself-'locking carton in which all ycorners are reinforced by amultiplicity of interlocking lapping `plies of material to preventbreakage at the corners during use in shipment or handling.

A still further -object of the invention is te provide Va simple Vandinexpensive carton which is strong and durable to withstand the shocksto which such type of cartons are subjected during use for the shipmentlof merchandise packed therein.

With these and other objects in View, the invention resides in thecertain novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, theessential .features of which are hereinafter fully described, are`particularly pointed out in the appended claims, andare illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure .1 is a perspective view of the improved carton in .sealedcondition.

Figure 2 is .an end .elevational View thereof.

Figure is an end .elevational view of the carton with the cover in apartially closed position.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional View Von the line .4 4 ofvFigure 1.

Figure 5 a .fragmentary vertical sectional view on the .li-ne 5-:.5 ofFigure 2.

Figure .6 is a vertical sectional view on the line .of Figure 5,

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view through the `front cover lockshowing the contents of merchandise within the carton, .the saidcontents being illustrated :in section.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional perspective view showing theposition of the front locking :tongue about to be inserted intointerlocking position.

Figure -9 is a .detail vertical sectional view on the line 9 9 of Figure`*Figure .10 is a View `similar to Figure 9 but showing the position ofthe locking tongue just prior to its final insertion to interlockingposition.

Figure 1:1 is a Vplan view .of the blank from which the .carton isformed.

.Referring to the `drawings .by reference characters and moreparticularly .at this time to Figure II .of the drawings, .the numeralldesignates a substantial rectangular shaped blank of bendable lcarboard,and from which the .entire carton is constructed. In constructingcartons for ship ping purposes., stili corrugated cardboard isemployedbut it l.wil-l be appreciated that the carton may be constructed.of a weaker stock of material if desired.

`blank of material .ID is scored on the horizontal fold lines readingfrom bottom to top in Figure 1l, the said horizontal fold lines beingdisposed parallel to .the topand bottom edges of the blank ,and beingidentiiied Aby the reference numerals ii, I2, 13, and i4. 'The blank isalso scored on the Vertical score lines I5 and I6, reading .from left toright and the said vertical score lines .are disposed parallel to andadjacent the straight side edges Aof .the iblank. The body section :ofthe carton is formed lof that material extending between -the lower edgeof the blank and the score line J3 andthe said body section in itsentirety is .designated A whereas the cover sectionB is formed from thematerial extending from .the score iine -IB tothe top edge of the blank.

The material extending .from the score line I I to the bottom edge .of.the blank constitutes a f-ront wall Il while the material of the blankwithin the connes vof :the score 'lines IVI, I2, I5 and :I6 consttutesa:bottom wall I8 :for the body section A. The .material bounded by thescore lines vI2, i3, 1.5, :and llconstitutes a rear wall I9 for the bodysection A. Contiguous with the ends of the :front wall II .anddividedtherefrom by the score lines .I5.and 1.6 .are frontcorner flaps 20-20which are separated by cuts from the end walls 2|-2I which arecontiguous with the bottom wall I8. The rear corner flaps 22-22 arecontiguous with the rear wall I9 and are separated by cuts from the endwalls 2I. The inner edges of the front corner flaps 28 are provided withV-notches to provide outer locking tongues 23 which are adapted forinsertion through slots 24 in the end walls 2l. The rear corner flaps 22are also notched inwardly to provide hook tongues 25 at their free outerends which are adapted to enter slots 26 in the end wall 2 I. The slots24 and 26 form a pair of slots in each end wall, and the said slots aredisposed in outwardly diverging relation for respectively receivingthetongues 23 and 25 for interlocking the corner flaps with the endwalls 2l when the carton is set up.

The cover section B consists of a top wall 21 which is bounded by thescore lines I3, I4, I and I6. Separated from opposite ends of the topwall by the score lines I5 and I6, are end walls 28-28, the inner endsof which are notched to provide hook tongues 29. The material of theblank bounded between the top edge of the blank and the score line I4constitutes a front wall 30, while separated from opposite ends of thefront wall 38 by slitting the blank are front corner flaps 3l, the samebeing contiguous with the end walls 28. Each corner flap 3| is providedwith a substantially keystone-shaped head 32, the same being scored onparallel lines 33 to divide the head into opposed triangular-shapedwings 34 while a score line 35 is provided at right-angles to the scorelines 33 and connecting the same for a purpose to be presentlyexplained.

Cut from the front Wall I1 of the body section A is a locking tongue 36,the material from which the tongue is formed provides arectangularshaped opening V31 in the front Wall I1. The tongue 36 islocated centrally of the wall II and adjacent the fold line II. Formedintegral with the tongue 36 and disposed on opposite sides thereof, arewing aps 38, there being a pair of these flaps disposed on each side ofthe tongue 36. The tongue 36 is scored transversely on the fold line 39,said line being disposed on a plane intermediate the planes of the innerends of the wing flaps 38 of each pair. The outer ends of the wing flaps38 are rounded as at 39 and are formed with inner notches 40. The wingflaps 38 are foldable inwardly on the parallel score lines 4I so thatthey may be disposed at right-angles to the planes of the tongue 36 toeifect interlocking of the wing flaps in a manner to be hereinafterexplained.

The front wall 38 of the cover section B is provided with vertical slots42 disposed adjacent opposite ends of the said wall, whereas a pair ofspaced slots v43 are provided adjacent the central portion of the wall38 and are in direct alinement with the score lines 4I hereinbeforementioned. The length of the slots 43 is less than the combined lengthof the wing iiaps 38 of each pair but the said slots 43 are of a lengthapproximating the distance between the notched portions 48 of each pairof wing flaps 38.

In the setting up of the carton from the blank I0, all of the walls ofthe flaps are foldable inwardly in the same direction. In setting up thebox, the end walls 2| are folded inwardly, after which the front wall IIand rear wall I 9 may be folded to vertical position. The frontl wall I1is locked to the yend walls 2| by inserting the hook tongues 23 of thecorner flaps 20 through the slots 24 whereas the rear wall I9 is lockedin set up position by inserting the hook tongues 25 through therespective slots 26 in the end walls 2I. From the assembly operationjust described, it will be seen that the body section A of the cartonhas been formed. To form the cover section B, the end walls 28 arefolded inwardly as is the front wall 38 and the end walls are locked tothe walls 30 by reason of the keystone-shaped tongues 32 which areinserted into the respectiveV slots 42. In order to insert the tongues32 into the slots 42, the triangular wingportions 34 are folded on thescore lines 33 so that they overlie the body portion of the tongues,after which the tongue is folded on the line 35 and inserted through itsrespective slot 42. After insertion, the wing portions 34 will spreadoutwardly or tend to open up due to the inherent characteristics of thematerial. By the interlocking of the tongues 32 with the front wall 30,it is impossible when the cover is in a closed position over the bodysection, to withdraw the tongues 32 from their respective slots.

From the description thus far, the carton has beenk completely set upfor use and it is assumed that it is desired to close the cover sectionB over the body section A and effect the locking of the two sectionstogether. To accomplish this, the cover section B as shown in Figure 3of the drawings is swung downwardly over the body section A, the endwalls 28 of the cover section embracing opposite ends of the bodysection. As the cover section B swings downward, the hook portions 29slide in between the end wall 2I and the rear corner flaps 22 and whenthe cover is fully closed, the tongues 29 assume the interlockingposition shown in dotted lines in Figure 2. By this construction, it isimpossible to flex the free edge of the end walls of the cover sectionoutwardly. 'Ihis construction also tends to reinforce the rear cornersof the carton while the front corners are reinforced by reason of theinterlocking of the tongues 32 with the front wall 30 of the coversection. This interlocking at the front corners prevents entry to theinside of the carton at such corners.

With the cover fully closed over the body section, it now remainsnecessary to effect a locking of the cover sectionwith the body sectionand this is accomplished in the manner now to be explained. The tongue36 which is out from the front wall of the body section is swung out tolap the front wall of the cover section, but since the slots 43 are of aless length than the normal length of a pair of locking wings 38, thesaid wings cannot be freely inserted into their respective slots.However, by bending or exing the tongue 36 outwardly on the score line39, an axis is formed on which the wings 38 may swing, the inner ends ofthe wings lapping each other as clearly shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10V.The outer side edges of the wings 38 are curved and are of less width at.their adjacent inner ends than at their outer locking ends to minimizethe lapping area of the wings during folding of the tongue and thusenable the outer ends of the wings to freely enter the slots 42, whichslots are of a width approximating the thickness of the wings 38. 'Ihenotched ends of the wings may now be freely inserted through the slots43, the curved outer portions 39 permitting of the free sliding of thewings 38 to the inside of the front wall 36 of the cover section. Whenthe locking wings 38 have been fully inserted, the tongue 36 assumes afiat position against the exterior of the front wall 30 of the lcoversection. whereas the inner ends of the` notches Ml interlock with thewalls of the slots 43. vThe wing flaps 3,8 extend vwithin the opening.31 provided in the front wall `Il `of the body section and when thecarton is filled with merchandise such as shown .in Figure 7 anddesignated C., the wing flaps will be spread outwardly in oppositedirectionsto lie within the plane of the front Wall il, thus ypreventingany possible withdrawal of the locking wing flaps Afrom theirinterlocking engagement with the Afront wall ,3D of the ,coyer section.In .order to obtain access to the contents of a packed carton, it is`necessary that the locking tongue 36 be mutilated by xcutting the sametransversely such for instance on the line' Adesignated 44. Thus it willbe seen that the cover section may be lsealed to the body section andthe contents of the carton protected against pilfering since all of theexposed corners of the carton are interlocked against possible release.A carton of this construction will be found practicable for shippingpurposes since entry of the carton cannot'l be obtained Withoutdetection or mutilation of the carton. Furthermore, it is unnecessary toemploy paper tape and other analogous methods for positively sealing thecarton against opening.

While I have shown and described what I consider to be the mostpractical embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood thatsuch changes and alterations as come within the scope of the appendedclaims may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:-

1. A cardboard carton formed from a single blank comprising a bodysection, a cover section hinged to the rear side wall of said bodysection and embracing the other side walls thereof when the cover is inclosed position, a tongue cut from the front side wall of said bodysection and folded outwardly to lap the front wall of said coversection, pairs of locking wing flaps integral with said tongue anddisposed on opposite sides thereof and scored for rearward folding, ascore line extending transversely of said tongue intermediate the planeof the inner ends of the wing flaps of each pair, the front wall of saidcover section having spaced vertical slots therein, the space betweensaid slots approximating the width of said tongue and said slots beingof a length less than the combined length of the wing flaps of eachpair, whereby said tongue may be folded on the score line thereof tosubstantially V-shape to enable the inwardly folded wing flaps to befreely inserted through the respective slots into interlockingengagement with the inner side of the front wall of said cover sectionupon subsequent flattening of the folded tongue against the exterior ofthe front wall of the cover section. Y

2. A cardboard carton comprising two box-like Sections having lappingwalls when the sections are in telescoped closed position, a tongue cutfrom a wall of the inner section and providing an opening therein, saidtongue being folded outwardly to lap the adjacent outer lapping wall ofthe other section, pairs of locking wing flaps integral with said tongueand disposed on opposite sides thereof, fold lines at the juncture ofsaid wing flaps and tongue to facilitate inward folding of said wingflaps, a score line extending transversely of said tongue intermediatethe plane of the inner ends of the wing flaps of each the outer lappingWall .having spaced vertical 4slots therein, the space between saidslots approximating the width .of said tongue and the slots being of alength less than the combined length of the wing aps of each pair,whereby said tongue may be folded on the score line thereof tosubstantially V-shape to enable the inwardly folded wing flaps to befreely inserted through the respective slots into interlockingengagement Iwith the inner side .of the .outer wall upon subsequentflattening of the folded tongue against the exterior .side thereof.

3. A cardboard rton comprising a single blank out, scored and folded toprovide a box body section having a bottom wall, a front wall, a vrearwall, opposed end walls, corner flaps folded inwardly from `the ends ofthe front and rear walls and lapping the exterior of the end walls, hooktongues formed on said aps, said end walls each having a pair of slotstherein for receiving the hook tongues to effect interlocking of saidcorner flaps and end walls; a box-like cover section comprising a topwall hinged to said rear wall, a, front wall, end walls, interlockingmeans between the ends of the cover front wall and the adjacent frontends of the cover end Walls, hook-shaped locking tongues at the rearends of the cover end walls for reception between the body end Walls andthe lower outer body portion of the rear corner flaps when the coversection is swung to a closed position over said body section to effectinterlocking of the cover and body sections adjacent the rear cornersthereof, and means for securing the cover and body sections in closedposition.

4. A cardboard carton comprising a single blank cut, scored and foldedto provide a box body section having a bottom wall, a front wall, a rearwall, opposed end walls, corner flaps folded inwardly from the ends ofthe front and rear walls and lapping the exterior of the end walls, hooktongues formed on said aps, said end walls each having a pair of slotstherein for receiving the hook tongues to effect interlocking of saidcorner aps and end walls; a box-like cover section comprising a top wallhinged to said rear wall, a, front wall, end walls, interlocking meansbetween the ends of the cover front wall and the adjacent front ends ofthe cover end walls, and hook shaped locking tongues formed in the rearends of the cover end walls for reception between the body end walls andthe lower outer body portion of the rear corner flaps when the coversection is swung to a closed position over said body section to effectinterlocking of the cover and body sections adjacent the rear cornersthereof.

5. In combination, inner and outer cardboard walls, a tongue cut fromthe inner wall and having lapping engagement with the exterior of theouter wall, pairs of wing aps foldable inwardly from opposite sides ofsaid tongue, hookshaped locking tongues provided on the outer ends ofthe pairs of wing flaps, the outer wall having spaced vertical slotstherein of a length less than the combined length of the respectivepairs of wing flaps whereby said tongue may be outwardly flexed toeffect insertion of the hook-shaped locking tongues into the verticalslots to effect interlocking of said hook-shaped tongues with the wallsof said slots and enable said tongue to flatly engage the exterior ofthe outer wall.

6. In a carton, a body section, a cover section having a walloverlapping a wall of said body section when the sections are togetherin closed position, the lapping wall of the cover section having spacedslots therein in open communication with the'interior of the bodysection through a cut-away portion in the adjacent wall thereof, alocking member comprising a bendable body, pairs of locking Wing flapsdisposed on opposite sides of said bendable body and scored for inwardfolding, a score line extending transversely ofy said body intermediatethe plane of the inner ends of the wing flaps of each pair, the spacedslots being of a length less than the combined length of thev wing flapsof each pair, whereby said bendable body may be folded on the transversescore line thereof to substantially V-shape to enable the inward foldedwing flaps to be freely inserted through the spaced slots and cut awayportion into the inside of the carton for subsequent flattening of thefolded body against the exterior of the wall ofthe cover section.

7. In combination,l inner and outer lapping walls, the latter having apair of spaced slots therein, the inner wall adjacent said slotshavingan opening therein, a locking member comprising a bendable body, pairsof wing flaps foldable inwardly from opposite sides of said body, saidpairs of slots being of a length less than the combined length of therespective pairs of wing flaps, whereby said body may be outwardlyflexedto eifectiinsertion of the wing flaps into said spaced slots andthrough said opening for outward folding to effect a locking of the sameinside of the outer lapping wall when said body is subsequentlyflattened against the exterior of the outer Wall.

Y ABRAHAM UZELL.

